Investigating the Mechanical Properties of Plasma von Willebrand Factor Using Atomic Force Microscopy

POSTER

Abstract

Single-molecule manipulation allows us to study the real-time kinetics of complex cellular processes. The mechanochemistry of different forms of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and their receptor-ligand binding kinetics can be probed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Since plasma VWF can be activated upon shear, the structural and functional properties of VWF that are critical in mediating thrombus formation become important. Here we characterized the mechanical resistance to domain unfolding of VWF to determine its conformational states. We found the shear-induced conformational changes, hence the mechanical property, can be detected by the change in unfolding forces. The relaxation rate of such effect is much longer than expected. Our results offer an insight in establishing strategies for regulating VWF adhesion activity, increasing our understanding of surface-induced thrombosis as mediated by VWF.

Authors

  • Sitara Wijeratne

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University

  • Allan Headley

    Texas A\&M, Sam Houston State University, Southern Methodist University, Dept of Physics, Texas Tech University, Depts of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University HSC, Texas Tech University, Lee College, Texas A\&M University, Texas A\&M Univ.-Commerce, University of North Texas, Texas A\&M University and Princeton University, Princeton University, The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University--Commerce, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State University--San Marcos, UTSA, Northwestern University, Rice University, Abilene Christian University, Texas Southern University, Department of Physics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas A\&M University Cyclotron Institute, Sciprint.org, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at San Antonio, Paschal High School, Fort Worth, TX, Department d'Enginyeria Electronica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Physics, Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas State University at San Marcos, Angelo State University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Viginia State University, Jefferson Laboratory, Trinity University, LIGO, UTB-TSC, Mount Holyoke College, Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TAMU, American Institute of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, Paine College, Augusta, GA, Univ. of Edinburgh, INFN-LNS, INFN LNS CATANIA ITALY, Arkansas Technical University, AR, USA, Cyclotron Institute Texas A\&M University College Station Usa, and Heather Galloway, Texas State University--San Marcos

  • Allan Headley

    Texas A\&M, Sam Houston State University, Southern Methodist University, Dept of Physics, Texas Tech University, Depts of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University HSC, Texas Tech University, Lee College, Texas A\&M University, Texas A\&M Univ.-Commerce, University of North Texas, Texas A\&M University and Princeton University, Princeton University, The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University--Commerce, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State University--San Marcos, UTSA, Northwestern University, Rice University, Abilene Christian University, Texas Southern University, Department of Physics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas A\&M University Cyclotron Institute, Sciprint.org, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at San Antonio, Paschal High School, Fort Worth, TX, Department d'Enginyeria Electronica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Physics, Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas State University at San Marcos, Angelo State University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Viginia State University, Jefferson Laboratory, Trinity University, LIGO, UTB-TSC, Mount Holyoke College, Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TAMU, American Institute of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, Paine College, Augusta, GA, Univ. of Edinburgh, INFN-LNS, INFN LNS CATANIA ITALY, Arkansas Technical University, AR, USA, Cyclotron Institute Texas A\&M University College Station Usa, and Heather Galloway, Texas State University--San Marcos

  • Allan Headley

    Texas A\&M, Sam Houston State University, Southern Methodist University, Dept of Physics, Texas Tech University, Depts of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University HSC, Texas Tech University, Lee College, Texas A\&M University, Texas A\&M Univ.-Commerce, University of North Texas, Texas A\&M University and Princeton University, Princeton University, The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University--Commerce, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State University--San Marcos, UTSA, Northwestern University, Rice University, Abilene Christian University, Texas Southern University, Department of Physics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas A\&M University Cyclotron Institute, Sciprint.org, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at San Antonio, Paschal High School, Fort Worth, TX, Department d'Enginyeria Electronica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Physics, Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas State University at San Marcos, Angelo State University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Viginia State University, Jefferson Laboratory, Trinity University, LIGO, UTB-TSC, Mount Holyoke College, Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TAMU, American Institute of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, Paine College, Augusta, GA, Univ. of Edinburgh, INFN-LNS, INFN LNS CATANIA ITALY, Arkansas Technical University, AR, USA, Cyclotron Institute Texas A\&M University College Station Usa, and Heather Galloway, Texas State University--San Marcos

  • Allan Headley

    Texas A\&M, Sam Houston State University, Southern Methodist University, Dept of Physics, Texas Tech University, Depts of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University HSC, Texas Tech University, Lee College, Texas A\&M University, Texas A\&M Univ.-Commerce, University of North Texas, Texas A\&M University and Princeton University, Princeton University, The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University--Commerce, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State University--San Marcos, UTSA, Northwestern University, Rice University, Abilene Christian University, Texas Southern University, Department of Physics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas A\&M University Cyclotron Institute, Sciprint.org, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at San Antonio, Paschal High School, Fort Worth, TX, Department d'Enginyeria Electronica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Physics, Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas State University at San Marcos, Angelo State University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Viginia State University, Jefferson Laboratory, Trinity University, LIGO, UTB-TSC, Mount Holyoke College, Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TAMU, American Institute of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, Paine College, Augusta, GA, Univ. of Edinburgh, INFN-LNS, INFN LNS CATANIA ITALY, Arkansas Technical University, AR, USA, Cyclotron Institute Texas A\&M University College Station Usa, and Heather Galloway, Texas State University--San Marcos

  • Eric Frey

    Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University

  • Allan Headley

    Texas A\&M, Sam Houston State University, Southern Methodist University, Dept of Physics, Texas Tech University, Depts of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University HSC, Texas Tech University, Lee College, Texas A\&M University, Texas A\&M Univ.-Commerce, University of North Texas, Texas A\&M University and Princeton University, Princeton University, The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University--Commerce, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State University--San Marcos, UTSA, Northwestern University, Rice University, Abilene Christian University, Texas Southern University, Department of Physics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas A\&M University Cyclotron Institute, Sciprint.org, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at San Antonio, Paschal High School, Fort Worth, TX, Department d'Enginyeria Electronica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Physics, Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas State University at San Marcos, Angelo State University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Viginia State University, Jefferson Laboratory, Trinity University, LIGO, UTB-TSC, Mount Holyoke College, Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TAMU, American Institute of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, Paine College, Augusta, GA, Univ. of Edinburgh, INFN-LNS, INFN LNS CATANIA ITALY, Arkansas Technical University, AR, USA, Cyclotron Institute Texas A\&M University College Station Usa, and Heather Galloway, Texas State University--San Marcos

  • Allan Headley

    Texas A\&M, Sam Houston State University, Southern Methodist University, Dept of Physics, Texas Tech University, Depts of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, Texas Tech University HSC, Texas Tech University, Lee College, Texas A\&M University, Texas A\&M Univ.-Commerce, University of North Texas, Texas A\&M University and Princeton University, Princeton University, The University of North Texas, University of Texas at Austin, Center for High Energy Density Science, University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Fusion Studies, University of Texas at Austin, UT Arlington, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University--Commerce, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at El Paso, Department of Physics, The University of Texas at Dallas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Marion University, University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas State University--San Marcos, UTSA, Northwestern University, Rice University, Abilene Christian University, Texas Southern University, Department of Physics, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas A\&M University Cyclotron Institute, Sciprint.org, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas at San Antonio, Paschal High School, Fort Worth, TX, Department d'Enginyeria Electronica, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Department of Physics, Texas State University at San Marcos, Texas State University at San Marcos, Angelo State University, Texas State University-San Marcos, Department of Surgery, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, University of Texas at Dallas, Physics, Viginia State University, Jefferson Laboratory, Trinity University, LIGO, UTB-TSC, Mount Holyoke College, Texas A&M University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, TAMU, American Institute of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, Paine College, Augusta, GA, Univ. of Edinburgh, INFN-LNS, INFN LNS CATANIA ITALY, Arkansas Technical University, AR, USA, Cyclotron Institute Texas A\&M University College Station Usa, and Heather Galloway, Texas State University--San Marcos

  • Ching-Hwa Kiang

    Rice University, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, Associate Professor, Rice University - Houston